J.K. Rowling famously wrote all seven Harry Potter novels, but she made a major creative shift when Warner Bros. brought her in as the screenwriter for 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, later continuing with The Crimes of Grindelwald and The Secrets of Dumbledore.
In December 2024, Brandon Sanderson, the bestselling fantasy author behind Mistborn, sparked fresh debate around Rowling’s role in shaping the Wizarding World on screen (via The Guardian). Speaking on the challenges of crossing narrative forms, Sanderson did not hold back:
She should not have been allowed to write screenplays.You think you’re good at one aspect of writing? That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re good at others.
His comments continue to spark discussions around the trilogy’s direction and its mixed reception, putting renewed focus on how Rowling’s creative control may have influenced the prequel franchise that some Harry Potter fans felt let down by.
J.K. Rowling’s Screenwriting Role Might’ve Affected the Trilogy
Across the trilogy, Rowling’s screenwriting shaped not only the tone and direction of the Fantastic Beasts films but also the way audiences engaged with the evolving story. As the narrative expanded into denser mythology and more interconnected plotlines, each sequel adopted a broader scope than the film before it.
This long-form structure, typical of the author’s storytelling style, required audiences to track multiple character arcs, political developments, and timeline shifts, all elements that influenced how viewers followed the prequel storyline over time.
The trilogy’s box-office returns reflect this shift in audience engagement. While the first film in 2016 earned over $800 million worldwide, industry data shows a noticeable decline with each subsequent release. The Crimes of Grindelwald made roughly $655 million globally, and the final film, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, had its lowest performance, earning about $407 million.
Critics and viewers noted the increasingly layered narrative as the films grew more ambitious, with many pointing to the expanding lore and plot complexity as factors that shaped the trilogy’s reception.
TitleYearJ.K.Rowling’s RoleIMDb RatingTomatometer ScoreFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them2016Screenwriter7.2/1074%Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald2018Screenwriter6.5/1036%Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore2022Co-Screenwriter6.2/1046%
Though many elements contribute to a franchise’s performance, Rowling’s role as the central storyteller remained a significant part of how the trilogy developed and evolved. Her narrative choices, characterized by large story arcs and deep worldbuilding, influenced how the prequel series unfolded and how it was ultimately received across its three-film run.
The Future of Fantastic Beasts: Will the Franchise Return?
A still from Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) | Image: Warner Bros.
After the release of the final movie in 2022, the future of the franchise has become noticeably uncertain. Although the series was initially announced as a five-film story, there has been no confirmation from Warner Bros. that development on a fourth installment is moving forward. The prequel series is no longer an active priority, and the wider Wizarding World plan has shifted in recent years.
In 2023, director David Yates highlighted that the franchise had effectively been placed on hold, with no movement on scripts or production schedules (via The Guardian). Actor Eddie Redmayne, who portrays Newt Scamander, later noted that he was not aware of any plans for the next chapter, suggesting that the series was no longer in active discussion behind the scenes (via Independent).
At the same time, Warner Bros. has begun redirecting its Wizarding World focus toward the newly announced Harry Potter reboot, a long-term project set to launch a fresh adaptation of the original books.
With no official updates, no active development, and key cast members unaware of future installments, Fantastic Beasts‘ return remains unlikely, at least for now.
What do you think about the future of the franchise? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The Fantastic Beasts trilogy is available to stream on HBO Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
